Wharton played just three snaps before going down, and his absence deals a blow to the Bengals’ running game.

The 31-year-old Wharton spent the first eight years of his career in Carolina, which has long been known for its quality rushing attack. Second-year player Clint Boling, a fourth-round pick, is expected to assume Wharton’s spot. Boling has three career starts.

The Bengals have a new starting running back, with BenJarvus Green-Ellis coming in from the Patriots and Cedric Benson departing via free agency. Benson had a third straight 1,000-yard rushing season in 2011, but the team opted to make a change after the veteran had a second straight season of averaging less than 4 yards a carry.